Bucket shock-absorbing system

ABSTRACT

A bucket shock-absorbing system for reducing the impact forces encountered by a vehicle, a driver and external objects when the bucket engages an external object. The bucket shock-absorbing system includes a first spring attached to a bucket, a second spring attached to the bucket, a main member attached between the first spring and the second spring, a first armature and a second armature attached to the bucket for guiding the main member, a first connector and a second connector for removably attaching to a connecting bracket of a vehicle loader structure, and a plurality of stopper members attached to the bucket in opposition to the springs for limiting the compression of the springs. The springs are preferably comprised of a leaf spring structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to buckets for vehicles and more specifically it relates to a bucket shock-absorbing system for reducing the impact forces encountered by a vehicle, a driver and external objects when the bucket engages an external object.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] Buckets for vehicles have been in use for years. A bucket may be attached by various well-known attachment structures to the vehicle such as a tractor, pay loader or skid-steer loader. The main problem with conventional bucket structures is that when they encounter an obstacles such as but not limited to a curb, manhole or raised road surface, a significant impact force is directed toward the bucket structure, the vehicle, the driver and the object encountered. Personal injury may result from the bucket engaging a stationary object along with significant damage to the vehicle.

[0007] Examples of patented devices which are related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,371 to Goos et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,367 to Oya; U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,793 to Frisbee; U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,702 to Donoghue; U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,352 to Frisbee et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,672 to Zimmerman; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,054 to Hanson.

[0008] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for reducing the impact forces encountered by a vehicle, a driver and external objects when the bucket engages an external object. Conventional buckets for vehicles are directly connected with no shock-absorbing means within.

[0009] In these respects, the bucket shock-absorbing system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of reducing the impact forces encountered by a vehicle, a driver and external objects when the bucket engages an external object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of buckets now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new bucket shock-absorbing system construction wherein the same can be utilized for reducing the impact forces encountered by a vehicle, a driver and external objects when the bucket engages an external object.

[0011] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new bucket shock-absorbing system that has many of the advantages of the bucket structures mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new bucket shock-absorbing system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bucket structures, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0012] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a first spring attached to a bucket, a second spring attached to the bucket, a main member attached between the first spring and the second spring, a first armature and a second armature attached to the bucket for guiding the main member, a first connector and a second connector for removably attaching to a connecting bracket of a vehicle loader structure, and a plurality of stopper members attached to the bucket in opposition to the springs for limiting the compression of the springs. The springs are preferably comprised of a leaf spring structure.

[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0015] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a bucket shock-absorbing system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0016] A second object is to provide a bucket shock-absorbing system for reducing the impact forces encountered by a vehicle, a driver and external objects when the bucket engages an external object.

[0017] Another object is to provide a bucket shock-absorbing system that may be utilized upon various types of buckets, dozers and other devices attached to a loader of a vehicle.

[0018] An additional object is to provide a bucket shock-absorbing system that reduces the likelihood of personal injury to a driver of a vehicle.

[0019] A further object is to provide a bucket shock-absorbing system that reduces damage to roads, curbs, manholes and the vehicle during operation of the vehicle.

[0020] Another object is to provide a bucket shock-absorbing system that allows the bucket to lift above small cracks in the road surface, manhole covers, curbs and other small in height obstructions.

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0024]FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention attached to a bucket.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention attached to a bucket and attached to a vehicle.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present invention attached to a bucket.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a magnified side view of the present invention illustrating normal operation thereof.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a magnified side view of the present invention illustrating the compression of the springs when encountering an obstruction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a bucket shock-absorbing system 10, which comprises a first spring 30 attached to a bucket 20, a second spring 40 attached to the bucket 20, a main member 50 attached between the first spring 30 and the second spring 40, a first armature 60 and a second armature 70 attached to the bucket 20 for guiding the main member 50, a first connector 52 and a second connector 54 for removably attaching to a connecting bracket 14 of a vehicle loader structure 12, and a plurality of stopper members 80 attached to the bucket 20 in opposition to the springs 30, 40 for limiting the compression of the springs 30, 40. The springs 30, 40 are preferably comprised of a leaf spring structure.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the bucket 20 is basically comprised of a rear surface 22 and an upper surface 24 with a lower portion having a lower edge for receiving material such as snow, dirt, gravel and the like. It can be appreciated that the bucket 20 shown in the figures is an exemplary bucket 20 for illustration purposes only and should not limit the various types of buckets 20 that the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with such as but not limited to snowplow blades.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the first spring 30 is attached to the bucket 20 in a vertical manner by a first upper bracket 32 and a first lower bracket 34. The first spring 30 is preferably comprised of a leaf spring structure for providing little vertical movement of the bucket 20 while allowing relatively significant horizontal movement of the bucket 20 during operation thereof.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the second spring 40 is attached to the bucket 20 in a vertical manner by a second upper bracket 42 and a second lower bracket 44 on a side opposite of the first spring 30. The second spring 40 is preferably comprised of a leaf spring structure for providing little vertical movement of the bucket 20 while allowing relatively significant horizontal movement of the bucket 20 during operation thereof. It can be appreciated that three or more springs may be utilized within the present invention instead of just two springs 30, 40 as illustrated within the figures.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, a main member 50 is attached between the first spring 30 and the second spring 40. The main member 50 is preferably comprised of a rigid structure capable of receiving the significant forces encountered by the bucket 20 during operation thereof.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, a first armature 60 and a second armature 70 attached to the bucket 20. Each of the armatures 60, 70 have a U-shaped structure for receiving and guiding the distal portions of the main member 50. The armatures 60, 70 assist in maintaining the bucket 20 in a substantially stationary position within respect to the loader structure 12 in regards to vertical movement thereof. However, the armatures 60, 70 allow the main member 50 to move horizontally along with the springs 30, 40 as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, a first connector 52 and a second connector 54 are attached to the main member 50 for removably attaching to a connecting bracket 14 of a vehicle loader structure 12. The connectors 52, 54 may be comprised of various structures as required to removably couple to the conventional connecting bracket 14 of a loader structure 12.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, a plurality of stopper members 80 are preferably attached to the bucket 20 in opposition to the springs 30, 40 for limiting the compression of the springs 30, 40. The stopper members 80 are preferably comprised of a resilient material such as but not limited to rubber. FIG. 5 illustrates the inner surface of the second spring 40 engaging the stopper members 80 when fully compressed.

[0037] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0038] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0039] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Index of Elements for Bucket Shock-Absorbing System □ ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ 10. Bucket Shock-Absorbing System □ 11. □ 12. Loader Structure □ 13. □ 14. Connecting Bracket □ 15. □ 16. □ 17. □ 18. □ 19. □ 20. Bucket □ 21. □ 22. Rear Surface □ 23. □ 24. Upper Surface □ 25. □ 26. □ 27. □ 28. □ 29. □ 30. First Spring □ 31. □ 32. First Upper Bracket □ 33. □ 34. First Lower Bracket □ 35. □ 36. □ 37. □ 38. □ 39. □ □ □ 40. Second Spring □ 41. □ 42. Second Upper Bracket □ 43. □ 44. Second Lower Bracket □ 45. □ 46. □ 47. □ 48. □ 49. □ 50. Main Member □ 51. □ 52. First Connector □ 53. □ 54. Second Connector □ 55. □ 56. □ 57. □ 58. □ 59. □ 60. First Armature □ 61. □ 62. □ 63. □ 64. □ 65. □ 66. □ 67. □ 68. □ 69. □ 70. Second Armature □ 71. □ 72. □ 73. □ 74. □ 75. □ 76. □ 77. □ 78. □ 79. □ □ 80. Stopper Members 

I claim:
 1. A bucket shock-absorbing system, comprising: a bucket member having a rear surface; a plurality of springs attached to said rear surface of said bucket member; a main member attached between said plurality of springs; and a connecting structure secured to said main member for removably connecting to a connecting bracket of a loader structure.
 2. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of springs are comprised of a leaf spring structure.
 3. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of springs are aligned in a vertical manner.
 4. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of springs are parallel to one another.
 5. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 1, including a plurality of stopper members attached to said rear surface in opposition to an inner surface of each of said plurality of springs for limiting a horizontal movement of said plurality of springs.
 6. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 5, wherein said stopper members are comprised of a rubber material.
 7. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 1, including a first armature and a second armature each having a U-shaped structure attached to said rear surface of said bucket for slidably receiving the distal portions of said main member in a horizontal manner.
 8. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 7, wherein said first armature and said second armature do not allow said main member to move significantly in a vertical manner.
 9. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 8, including a plurality of stopper members attached to said rear surface in opposition to an inner surface of each of said plurality of springs for limiting a horizontal movement of said plurality of springs.
 10. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 9, wherein said plurality of springs are comprised of a leaf spring structure.
 11. A bucket shock-absorbing system, comprising: a bucket member having a rear surface; a first spring attached to said rear surface of said bucket member; a second spring attached to said rear surface of said bucket member opposite of said first spring; a main member attached between said springs; and a connecting structure secured to said main member for removably connecting to a connecting bracket of a loader structure.
 12. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 11, wherein said springs are comprised of a leaf spring structure.
 13. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 12, wherein said springs are aligned in a vertical manner.
 14. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 13, wherein said springs are parallel to one another.
 15. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 11, including a plurality of stopper members attached to said rear surface in opposition to an inner surface of each of said springs for limiting a horizontal movement of said springs.
 16. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 15, wherein said stopper members are comprised of a rubber material.
 17. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 11, including a first armature and a second armature each having a U-shaped structure attached to said rear surface of said bucket for slidably receiving the distal portions of said main member in a horizontal manner.
 18. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 17, wherein said first armature and said second armature do not allow said main member to move significantly in a vertical manner.
 19. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 18, including a plurality of stopper members attached to said rear surface in opposition to an inner surface of each of said springs for limiting a horizontal movement of said springs.
 20. The bucket shock-absorbing system of claim 19, wherein said springs are comprised of a leaf spring structure. 